NCRPO gathers erring cops at Camp Crame before meeting Duterte

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Tuesday morning gathered at Camp Crame at least 300 erring policemen, hours before they face President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang.

NCRPO chief Director Oscar Albayalde said a number of the policemen will get a chance to explain themselves during the presentation.

"This is part of the long-term cleansing program ng ating PNP chief (Ronald dela Rosa). Some them will be given a chance to explain themselves and hindi naman lahat ito ay scalawags in uniform. Ang gusto natin ay total cleansing. Ipakita natin na we are serious in this and the chief PNP is serious in this," he told reporters.

He said some of the police officers are facing minor offenses such as frequent absences, failure to report to duty, failure to wear proper uniform, 15-30 or reporting only to get salary, tardiness, while others were facing complaints of extortion, laglag kaso or dropping complaints in exchange of money, and moonlighting as security to certain personalities.

He said others were facing more serious complaints such as involvement in illegal drugs and robbery.

Albayalde said if ever the police officers were ordered to clean the Pasig River, as earlier mentioned by Duterte, it will not absolve them from the charges.

"Kahit maglinis it does not absolve them of their liabilities. It's just part of punishment, you have to face 'yung charges sa iyo," he said.

No reason to be demoralized

He assured the public that those facing complaints will go through due process.

"Initial pa lang ito, ito iyong merong derogatory reports, this should be validated.
These people should be adjudicated and we will give them due process. We cannot condemn all these people na basta na lang ganun," he said.

He added that other members of the PNP should not be demoralized with the punishments.

"Parte ito ng ating serbiyo. Wala tayong dapat ika-low morale dito, walang dapat ika-gripes dito. This is all part of the service," he said.

As of this posting, 84 erring members of the Manila Police District have arrived at Camp Crame; 31 from the Eastern Police District and 43 more from the Quezon City Police District.

Southern Police District chief Senior Superintendent Tomas Apolinario said 183 of his men were included in the list but only 64 were present as others have gone absent without leave or have court duties.

Northern Police District chief Senior Superintendent Roberto Fajardo, meanwhile, said 42 of the 80 personnel on the list are now at Camp Crame.

The highest ranking policeman included in the list is a Chief Inspector, said Albayalde. —ALG, GMA News